A Dutch scientist has discovered a 1,700-year-old fragment of Homer's "The Odyssey" within a book at Utrecht University Library. The small parchment, measuring just 2.6 by 3 inches, was found by Professor Mark de Kreij, an expert in Greek literature, during his research on ancient Egyptian and Greek manuscripts.
The fragment contains text describing a key plot point: the moment the Sun god Helios discovers that Odysseus and his men have stolen and eaten his sacred cattle. This event leads to Zeus destroying Odysseus's ship and killing all his sailors, with Odysseus being the sole survivor. Professor de Kreij noted that this particular passage is significant and considered "fun" within the epic.
Researchers believe the parchment was part of a pocket-sized edition of "The Odyssey" produced in the Fayum Oasis in Egypt around 300 A.D. Its survival is attributed to its protection by other pages within the book. This discovery provides evidence of the poem's circulation and readership centuries before modern adaptations.
Professor de Kreij described the find as a significant discovery, noting that unearthed passages are often less engaging. He considers himself fortunate to have made such a find, calling himself a "treasure hunter." The "Odyssey" fragment is one of approximately 30 such fragments that have been discovered globally.